I've been struggling with some old Panasonic headphones that I've owned for about 10 years now. I say "struggling" because the thin vinyl that covers the around-the-ear foam pads is disintegrating and every time that I wear them, I'm left with little black bits stuck to my ears, face and neck.

So I'd had enough of these old Pannas and was browsing the web trying to find some replacements that didn't cost a packet. A book of mine called "Podcast Solutions" recommended the Sennheiser HD202s, so I was researching those -- but I also found that the HD201s were mentioned a lot, and in glowing terms. So, yesterday I went to my local Apple retailer and bought the HD201s for a little less than £20.

I tried them out for the first time tonight and.... Lord Lummy!!! They've blown me away! I've thrown everything at them; pop, rock, jazz, hip-hop, ambient.... and they're just awesome!

I find myself just playing 60 seconds of an iTunes track before seeing another track, wondering what that sounds like thru these 201s and double-clicking on it.

Okay, I've listened to them some more, and my enthusiasm remains undampened.

There is a downside: when listening thru the HD201s, the difference between tracks that have been ripped from CD and tracks that have been digitised from cassette is painfully apparent. Headphones that are so good at revealing the fine detail on a CD track are also pretty merciless when revealing the duller, fluctuating, hissy, lower-fidelity sound of cassette.

Hmmm. Looks like I'll eventually have to re-purchase a few favourite albums that I still have on cassette.

One other downside: I can hear the slight difference between a track that's played on iTunes thru the iMic and the same track played on my iPod Shuffle. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the Shuffle loses the contest. I wonder if that would be the same outcome for other iPod models._________________Intel Mini 2.0GHz C2D (4GB/120GB/SuperDrive/10.5.8 ), 120GB WD Passport, Logitech ergo k/b
iPod Touch (32GB, 3rd gen), iPod Shuffle (512MB, 1st gen)

That's probably the worst thing about buying good speakers or headphones. You hear every flaw and shortcoming on the track. I ended up re-ripping a bunch of my older music to 256kbps because of some Polk speakers. It's probably going to take some workwith Audacity or Final Vinyl to clean those up.

I think it is funny when people say 128 kbps is CD quality. It sounds like garbage with decent equipment. This is really evident if you listen to a lot of music with highs like cymbals. It almost reminds me of the metallic sound warn out audio cassette that's really tight turning. Sort of screechy.

Funny that Apple doesn't let you set your iTunes preferences to record at 320 kbps any longer. Unless I'm missing out clicking something 256 kbps is the current highest setting for recording.

i'm not a fan of the 1970's style of headphones. It's totally kills portability for me. I am not going to carry a fanny back to put the headphones in.
Yeah the regular ipod style headphones are typically cheap but i rather have it all fit into a pocket of my pants.

Are those Earbuds ? I hate Earbuds. IMO, The Bose "Around The Ear" Headphones are the best Headphones I have heard so far. They are $139. but that's going to be the Headphone for me when I buy. I have a Pair of $99. Shure E2C & I hate them. They Have no bottom (Bass). Got them as a Gift. They are Earbuds as well. What I use until I get the Bose are a Pair of Over The Head/In The Ear Sony's for $20. Not Bad for what they are!_________________iMac 27" 3.06 8GB ATI 4670 1TB HD
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